Atomizer for liquid and pulverulent material



Nov. 27, 1956 l. Rl'rzAU Erm.

ATOMIZER FOR LIQUID AND PULVERULENT MATERIAL Filed Jan. 26. 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 27, 1'956 1. RlTzAu ETAJ. 2,772,117

AToMIzER FOR LIQUID AND PULVERULENI MATERIAL Filed Jan. 26. '1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I/j u y /fvve'vrons United States Patent O ATOMIZER FR LIQUID AND PULVERULENT MATERIAL Inge Ritzau, Alfons Brugger, and Balthasar Hiler, Stamberg, Upper Bavaria, Germany, assignors to Paul Ritzau, Starnberg, Germany Application January 26, 1954, Serial No. 416, 652

Claims priority, application Germany January 31, 1953 1d Claims. (Cl. 299-86) ing effect and turbulence by baie surfaces or the like and.

to increase the amount and quality of the mist by increasing the output oi the compressor acting as the source of air pressure. However, by this means, such apparatus are both complicated in construction and expensiveto obtain and operate, without it being possible to obtain a substantial rise in output.

An object of the present invention is to obtain an 1mproved exploitation of the energy content of the compressed gas so that an increase and'renement ofatomization is achieved even without raising the compressor output.

The present invention is based-.on the knowledge that, in the case of normal atomizers, the compressed air, which leaves the nozzle in the form of a cone, usually comes into contact with the substances to be atomized only on the jacket surface of this cone, so that only a small part of the energy of the iiow of the compressed gas is utilised for the atomization.

According to the present invention a control member for the gas ow is arranged in the outlet cone ofthe compressed gas, said member having a base which has one-or more edges touching the jacket of the outlet-cone for the gas and being so constructed that the greater` part of the compressed gas is spread out in the form of a fan on these edges, the outlet apertures for the substances which are used f r atomization being so arranged-below these fans that the greater part of these substances is suckedin the direction of the control edges.

The member controllingv the flow of gas is preferably adjustable, for example, rotatably mounted inaplane perpendicular to the longitudinal centre axis' of the outlet nozzle of the compressed gas. By this means, the atomization effect may be considerably varied. By rotating the control member the paths of the flow and of suction are-v changed. The control member may be arrangedvso as to be interchangeable with other controll members having variously extending and variously profiled control edges which may be used to give differing eifects of atomization.

lt has been found advisable to arrange, above the control member for the gas ow, a suction tube through which the gases or air sucked from above are conveyed. This suction tube may be adjustable, especially longitudinally displaceable, and may be interchangeable4 with suction tubes of different cross section. On or near the suction tube treatment devices may be mounted for the gases, air, sprays, aerosols or the likewhichare sucked through the suction tube, such as electric.v heating devices, radiation- 2,772,117 Patented Nov. 27, 1956 ice apparatus, apparatus for electric charging, mixing devices and the like. Two or more atomizers of the said type of' construction may be combined to form a group in such a manner that the product supplied by the first atomizerA ows into the suction of thev second or another atomizer, with or without a suction tube.

lt has become apparent that the compressed gas at the edges of the member controlling the gas ow is distributed to a considerable extent in the form ofa fan. By introducing the substances to be atomized at the base of this fan, these substances also spread out in the form of a fan and become intensively mixed with the compressed gas,

without incurring unnecessary loss of energy by the for-y mation of eddies.

By controlling the factors inuencing theV atomizationl operation and by conveying the influence to the gases sucked through the suction tube, the outputand the productsof the atomizer may be adapted within very wide limits .to existing requirements. Forexample, the optimum spectra of the aerosols are adjusted for each case of therapeutic or technical useand mixtures of various substances are obtained with a favourable particle spectrum.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a medial vertical section through an atomizer constructed in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a similar, but fragmentary, section through anv attachment of the atomizer as shown in Fig. l;

Figs. 3 to 5 are details on a larger scale, showing-.the nozzle member of an atomizer in two side elevationsdifteringl by 90 and as aplan-view;

Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating the atomizing opera.- tion and/ or conversion into mist; and

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of a group of atornizers.

In the example of construction shown in Figs. l andr2, the atomizer consists of a base 1 having a lateralV admission pipe member 2 for the compressed gas. The lower part 3 of the housing of the atomizer is inserted with asjealing effect into the base, being screwed in fork example. By this means a nozzle member S'is mounted with a sealingefect firmly in the base 1. The nozzle member has acentre bore 6 through which the compressed gas flows passing through the inlet pipe 2` in order to tiow out through a constricted nozzle 9. In addition, two lateral bores 7 and S are provided in the nozzle member 5 through which the uid 4, disposed in the lower part 3 of the housing, is sucked. This outlet aperture inthe ynozzle 9 and the outlet apertures-in the passages 7 and 8'are dis-V posed in a plane face on thenozzle member 5 in order to avoid kunnecessary whirling effects.

Above the nozzle 9 is mounted a gas flow control member 11 which is shown-diagrammatically in Fig. 14 in cross section only, but will be described in greater detail when referring to Figs. 3', 4' and 5. The upper part 12 of the housing is connected to the lower part 3, for example by screw threaded engagement therewith or by being a press t thereon. It has alateral outlet pipe member 13 and carries at the top anl annular sealing member 15 having an inner thread in which the suction tube 14 with outer thread 16 is contained and is thereby adiustable in height, as also interchangeable.

Between the lower part 3 and the upperV part 12v of the housing an intermediate member 17 is insertedpwhich greatly restricts the connection between the two parts of the housing and simultaneously acts as a baile Vsurface for the mixture formed on the air ow control member 11 spread out in the form of a fan. The mixture tiows through the constricted portion between the parts 17 and the tube 14- atA high speed into the upper chamber of the housing, loses speed' there and is homogenised to a considerableextent beforeV it-ows out of the discharge connection 13. In the upper chamber anotherA annular baffle surface 18 is mounted on the tube 14.

As stated hereinbefore, a treatment means which may be of any one of the mentioned types may be connected to theem'bodiment illustrated in Fig. 1. Such means is shownV in Fig. Z in the form of an attachment constructed as an electric heating apparatus. This consists of a sleeve 19 to be slipped over the sealing member 15, in which, above the tube 14, an electric resistance heater 21 is mounted to which current is fed through the 'side opening 22, whilst the upper face of the sleeve 19 has an opening y20 for feeding the gases, air, sprays, aerosols, or'the like, sucked in through the tube 14; Instead of an electric heating apparatus, a radiation apparatus, for example,.an apparatus for electric charging or an apparatus for the admixing of substances of various types may also be provided which flow into the housing of the atomizer due to the suction, and inuence the atomizing operation or are used as additional agents or admixtures.

' Figs. 3, 4 and 5 show a nozzle member and a gas ow control means on a larger scale. The nozzle member has an enlarged lower end portion V23 which, as shown in Fig. 1, is secured in the base 1 by the lower part 3 of the housing. The centre bore 6 and the` nozzle 9 are also constructed in accordance with Fig. 1, whilst, on the other hand, the side bores 24 and 25 for the fluids or other substances to be atomized, in this case extend at an angle to the centre axis of the nozzle member. However, they can also extend in the form of an arc, for example, and so discharge that the substance to be converted intomist is sucked, as favourably to the ow as possible, in the direction of the control edges on which the compressed gas spreads out fan-wise.

The gas flow control member 11 is constructed in this case in the form of a bar and secured by means of the two supports 26 on a ring 27 which is mounted to rotate on the upper part of the nozzle member 5. A scaleV 28, indicating the existing angular position of the gas ow control member 11, is disposed on the jacket surfaceV of this ring. The normal position of this control is shown by full lines in Fig. 5, whilst an angular position is indicated by dash and dot lines. It is essential that the control edges 29 and 30, which extend parallel, as shown in the example, should contact at a-tangent the jacket of the gas outlet cone 32 as accurately as possible. Y

In Fig. 6 the ilow ratios of the atomization are shown diagrammatically with a rough approximation. The compressed air indicated by a dash line arrow 31 flows out v of the nozzle 9 at high speed and forms a flow cone 32.

The gas flow control member 11 is so disposed that its control edges 29 andA 30 contact the ow cone 32 tangentially. With this arrangement a fan-wise spreading out of the compressed air is effected on the control edges as indicated byY the dash line arrows 33. The suction occurring below these fans conveys the greater part of the uid rising through the passages 7 and 8, said uid being indicated by solid line arrows 34, in the direction of the control edges 29 and 30. Only a small portion of the fluid, as shown by the branches 35, previously strikes against the jacket of the flow cone 32 which also carries these amounts in the direction of the control edges. The principal part is, however, carried into the fan-wise spread out compressed gas directly adjacent to the control edges, thereby distributed with the compressed gas l and mixed as it spreads out, -as shown by the arrows 36.

The dash and dot line arrows 37 show the suction produced above the fan-wise spreading out of the compressed gas, said suction being preferably received as completely as possible by the suction tube 14 owing to the appropriate adjustment thereof.

Y Fig. 7 shows an arrangement in the form of a group of yatomifgzers. YI n ythis case the product .of the rst.atomiz.

er is conveyed intothe suctionV of the second atomizer through the connecting pipe 38, whilst the product of the second atomizer is conveyed into the suction of a thir d atomizer through the connecting pipe 39. It mayv Y be immediately seen that in this manner the most varied modilications of the product taken from the last atomizer are possible,l especially when treatment attachments v19 are also used.

We claim:

l. ln an atomizer for effecting tine distribution of liquids and pulverulent solids, comprising a nozzle for producing a cone-shaped jet of a gaseous fluid, means for conducting gaseous uid under pressure to said nozzle, a gas flow control member provided with a gas deecting surface having at least one edge of substantial length, said member being so positioned relatively to said nozzle that said surface is in the path and ,substantially :at right angles to the direction of said jet, vand that said edge is tangent to the cone of said said jet whereby the major portion of said jet will be spread into a fan-like gas stream vby said edge, a chamber at least partly below said nozzle to receive therein a supply of the substance to be atomized, and yat least one duct from close to the bottom of'said chamber to the vicinity of said nozzle, said duct having a discharge yopening laterally of said nozzle and underneath said fan-like gas Stream, whereby portions of said substance Will be sucked into said fan-like gas stream along said edge.

.2. A device as claimed in claim l wherein said control member is releasably secured to a stationary part of said device and adjustable in relation to said nozzle and said duct opening.

3. A device as claimed in claim l wherein said control member is adjustably rotatable about the axis of said nozzle.

4. A device as claimed in claim l, further comprising a stationary body interiorly of said chamber and including said nozzle and part of said conducting means, and a ring to which said control member Iis secured, said ring being journaled on said body so Ias to be adjutstably rotatable about the axis of said nozzle, and markings being provided on said ring and said body to indiacte the angular position of the ring in relation to said body.

5. An atomizer for etecting tine distribution of liquids and pulverulent solids comprising a substantially upright hou-sing having a discharge opening in its upper portion, a body secured to the housing bottom and extending upwards in said housing, a nozzle in the top portion of said body for producing a cone-shaped jet of a gaseous uid, means for conducting gaseous uid under pressure from an external source through said body to said nozzle, a gas flow control member provided with aY gas deecting surface in the path and at right angles to the direction of saidv Y ject, said surface having two parallel edges of substantial length and tangent to the cone of said jet :at opposite sides thereof, whereby the major portion of said jet will be spread by said edges into two oppositely directed ktanlike gas streams, a chamber formed by the lower portion of said housing to receive therein a supply of the substance to be atomized, two ducts provided in said'body on opposite sides of the axis of said nozzle and extending from close to the bottom of -said chamber to the vicinity of said nozzle, said ducts having their discharge openings underneath said fan-like gas streams respectively,-

whereby portions of said substance will be sucked into said gas streams along said edges.

6. An atomizer as claimed in claim 5 wherein said body is releasably secured to said housing.

7. An atomizer as claimed in claim 5, said body having a plane surface opposite and parallel to said surface `of said control member, said body surface containing the discharge openings of said nozzle and of said ducts.

8. An atomizer as claimed -in claim v5, said control member comprising a bar provided with said deecting surface, said. surface having -a width larger than the d-iameter of the discharge opening of said nozzle but smaller than the spacing of said discharge openings of said ducts from each other, a ring journaled on said body coaxially with said nozzle, and the ends of said bar being carried by said ring at diametrically opposite points.

9. An atomizer as claimed in claim 5, further comprising a suction tube extending through the top of said housing to the vicinity of said control member to guide an aerofonn medium sucked in from above towards said control member.

10. An atomizer :as claimed in claim 5, further comprising a suction tube extending through the top of said housing to the vicinity of said control member, said tube being shiftable in the longitudinal direction and releasably secured to said housing.

1l. An atomizer as claimed in claim 5, further comprising a suction tube extending through the top of the housing downward to the vicinity of said control member, and an attachment to said tube for connecting thereto a means for treating an aeroform medium sucked in through said tube.

l2. An atomizer as claimed -in claim 5, further comprising a suction tube extending through the top of the housing downward to the vicinity of said control member, and an attachment to the top of said tube, said :attachment including an electrically heating means for an aeroform medium passing from the `outside downward through said tube.

13. An atomizer as claimed in claim 5, said housing containing an upper chamber in addition to said lower chamber, said lower chamber having a lower portion wherein to receive said supply of said substance to be atomized, and an upper portion the walls of which form baffle surfaces for said fan-like streams of gas, a narrow passage being provided from said lower chamber to said upper chamber, and said discharge opening of said housing being provided in the wall of said upper chamber.

14. An atomizer as claimed in claim 5, further comprising a suction tube extending through the top of said housing to the vicinity of said control member, said housing containing 'an upper chamber in addition to said lower chamber, said lower chamber having a lower portion wherein to receive said supply of said substance to be atomized, and an upper portion the walls of which form baille surfaces for said fan-like streams of gas and extend close to the outside of said suction tube so as to form a slot-like passage from said lower to said upper chamber, said discharge opening of said housing being provided in the wall of said upper chamber.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,556,047 Stanley June 5, 1951 

